What do you think?
Resonant
As an aging mathematician and his coterie of friends begin to decipher the language of humpback whales the find their discoveries lead to new insights into the nature of numbers, the structure of matter and even the origin of the universe. They also lead to conflict with the U.S.Navy and the whales themselves
216 pages, Paperback
Published November 24, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
January 29, 2025
He solves problems by nature as a mathematician, and his insatiable curiosity could be his downfall. Sonya Perez, a friend of Dr. Joseph Tenatt's, is suggested for a classified position with the navy. Later on, he finds out that they are using humpback whales in a risky endeavor. Together with his intelligent buddies, they are a team committed to saving Sonya and figuring out what message they appear to be conveying. Their language is referred to as a resonance form. But at what price? Will they leave?
January 12, 2023
Well written, but a hard read for me.
January 29, 2023
This scratched the same itch as Neal Stephenson's Anathem!
June 19, 2022
Review published first at https://reedsy.com/discovery/book/res...
I had the privilege of reviewing Robert Leet's first book, Timewise, and it has been an absolute delight to read and review Resonant. I greatly enjoyed seeing the ways that the author's writing and style has evolved over the last couple years and the results are marvelous. Leet's work is often more science than fiction, and with this thrilling adventure, the line between fiction and reality blurs.
Leet has a talent for integrating a cast of unique and charming characters while telling a compelling story full of science and adventure. From the next door neighbors who escaped the Soviet Union and play violin and cello with our protagonist, to the past students, all the researchers, and other cast members, each is a well-developed character with their own lives and concerns, woven together brilliantly. I thoroughly enjoyed the main character as a past musician and academic with, somehow, the same black rescue cat and a habit of relaxing to recordings of whale sounds. But, regardless of your own background, there is something to love in each member of this unlikely crew.
What Leet does really well is making science fiction that is more grounded in real science than most in the genre; however, you don't need to be a scientist or academic to understand and enjoy this book. In Timewise, the exposition and dialogue was good but more heavy-handed; it read like a physics textbook, which is excellent for some readers, like myself, and harder to engage for others. In Resonant, only a couple years later, Leet's dialogue is smooth and natural, as is our narrator's telling of the tale. The content is grounded in reality but accessible for most readers. The story flows well and is very engaging. I was hooked, hanging on to each twist and revelation.
Overall, I can easily add this book to my list of favorites and hope others will read and enjoy this wonderful book. And, thank you for the honor of being the reviewer for both of your releases; it has been a pleasure and I love your work
I had the privilege of reviewing Robert Leet's first book, Timewise, and it has been an absolute delight to read and review Resonant. I greatly enjoyed seeing the ways that the author's writing and style has evolved over the last couple years and the results are marvelous. Leet's work is often more science than fiction, and with this thrilling adventure, the line between fiction and reality blurs.
Leet has a talent for integrating a cast of unique and charming characters while telling a compelling story full of science and adventure. From the next door neighbors who escaped the Soviet Union and play violin and cello with our protagonist, to the past students, all the researchers, and other cast members, each is a well-developed character with their own lives and concerns, woven together brilliantly. I thoroughly enjoyed the main character as a past musician and academic with, somehow, the same black rescue cat and a habit of relaxing to recordings of whale sounds. But, regardless of your own background, there is something to love in each member of this unlikely crew.
What Leet does really well is making science fiction that is more grounded in real science than most in the genre; however, you don't need to be a scientist or academic to understand and enjoy this book. In Timewise, the exposition and dialogue was good but more heavy-handed; it read like a physics textbook, which is excellent for some readers, like myself, and harder to engage for others. In Resonant, only a couple years later, Leet's dialogue is smooth and natural, as is our narrator's telling of the tale. The content is grounded in reality but accessible for most readers. The story flows well and is very engaging. I was hooked, hanging on to each twist and revelation.
Overall, I can easily add this book to my list of favorites and hope others will read and enjoy this wonderful book. And, thank you for the honor of being the reviewer for both of your releases; it has been a pleasure and I love your work
September 25, 2022
Two subjects intrigued me to read this book: whales and cellos. However, the book is stiff, tough, and a slow-burner. The story is heavier on the maths and science than expected, and not ideal for casual reading since it requires attentiveness. The protagonist, Joseph Tenatt, has the mission to find how 'whales establish a metric for measuring time and distance without numbers'. The characters use music to help with the science and thus their research on whales, and ultimately hope to uncover the secrets of the universe without the US Navy intervening.
I received a free copy and am leaving a review voluntarily.
Thank you to Hidden Gems Books and author.
I received a free copy and am leaving a review voluntarily.
Thank you to Hidden Gems Books and author.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews